Chrysler Group’s Ram brand announced Feb. 14 that it will be first to offer a small-displacement diesel for its half-ton line of trucks.
Featuring a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine and an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the automaker said the 2014 Ram 1500 will deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency and torque. If Chrysler delivers and the price is right, the diesel truck could propel pickup sales, which will stimulate demand for aftermarket accessories.
The 3.0-liter, V-6 turbo-diesel from Italian engine maker VM Motori produces 60% less emissions than those produced by diesel powertrains 25 years ago, Ram’s maker notes.
The same eight-speed transmission and turbo-diesel engine that will power the 2014 half-ton pickup is identical to one offered in the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that achieves highway fuel economy above 30 mpg, as reported by Larry Vellequette of Automotive News.
Although diesel engines are only available in half-ton pickup variants, they typically achieve higher fuel economy with better torque than gas-powered engines. The 2014 Ram 1500 will be Chrysler’s first light-duty pickup offering since the early 1980s.
Pricing has not yet been announced, but the diesel pickup is scheduled to enter production in July.

GM has the engine and tranny ready. They just need to put it in the trucks. Look up the 4.5L Duramax. GM developed it from 09-10, but never put it in a truck because of raising diesel costs and worry it wouldn't catch on especially right after the bailout. It is said to have 310 hp and 520 ft lb of torque which helps it achieve up to 25% better mpg then a gas truck under light load and 75%-50% better mpg when towing or hauling compared to a gaser.

I personally don't understand the fascination with diesel, I understand for a full size truck that gets worked hard. But for a daily driver it seems kind of silly, just the repair cost alone of a diesel make me steer clear.

I personally don't understand the fascination with diesel, I understand for a full size truck that gets worked hard. But for a daily driver it seems kind of silly, just the repair cost alone of a diesel make me steer clear.

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This is completely false. If you "pay" a repitable shop to replace injectors on a 5.3L gas vortec, they will charge you about $1500 for parts and labor. Glow plugs are cheap and hardly ever need replacing.

Your tires, frame, suspension are the same across all 1500's, unless you go with HD shocks (which shocks are easy to install) they are cheaper at the parts store.

The only thing (6.6L dmax) is that the 6.6L Dmax uses 12 quarts of oil per oil change. A 4.5L would take allot less oil than a 6.6L engine.

By the time you figure the 5.3L averages 15mpgs and the 4.5L Dmax gives you 24-30mpgs. you have more than made your money back (unless you are leasing the truck and you loose your shirt).

I keep my trucks on average 13 years and they are paid off within the first 48 months. To compare 13 years with a 5.3L gas to a 4.5L dmax, I am putting money in my pocket every year I own that dmax once it is paid off.

The diesel also run cooler meaning less heat damage where parts will need to be replaced in the engine more often on a 5.3L gas.

Also adding to what [MENTION=52280]nakranij[/MENTION] said the 4.5l doesn't have a true intake and the injectors are externally mounted to make replacement easy. The turbo is mounted in the valley of the engine to help make the engine smaller but more powerful. This engine would likely out last the body it would be installed in. GM worked very hard on this engine but sadly did nothing with it.

Now I have my 5.3L re-tuned for 93oct. that is $3.99/Gal. "If" I had a 4.5L Diesel I would be paying $4.05/Gal

My Truck is an ext. cab/w 6.5ft bed. My tank is 27.5gal (per the sticker from GM at the dealer)

If my tank was "dry" it would cost me $109.725 to put 93 oct. in it

If my tank was "dry" it would cost me $1113.75 to put diesel in it

27.5/Gal of 93oct will get me 412.5 miles per fill up @15mpg

27.5/Gal of Diesel will get me 660 miles per fill up @ 24mpg

27.5/Gal of Diesel will get me 825 miles per fill up @ 30mpg

I drive about 300 miles a week; you don't have to know more than basic math to see a pattern adding up really fast over 12 months or 13 years.....

Now ask yourself why I would buy another gas powered truck?

What happens if 93oct goes to $5 or $8 per gallon and diesel is $5.05 or $8.05 per gallon? I would really hate to be the person who owns that gas truck, I am still able to put some money away for a vacation?

Unless you are just made of money....

:lol:

I think I have more than covered the extra cost of the oil changes and all of the maintenance on the 4.5L Diesel.

Oh, and for the people running 87oct in their 5.3L gas engine.... figure 10-15% less MPG's than 93oct.

I am not endorsing this site, but if you really think diesel is that much more than what you are paying for gas, take a reality check:

Now I have my 5.3L re-tuned for 93oct. that is $3.99/Gal. "If" I had a 4.5L Diesel I would be paying $4.05/Gal

My Truck is an ext. cab/w 6.5ft bed. My tank is 27.5gal (per the sticker from GM at the dealer)

If my tank was "dry" it would cost me $109.725 to put 93 oct. in it

If my tank was "dry" it would cost me $1113.75 to put diesel in it

27.5/Gal of 93oct will get me 412.5 miles per fill up @15mpg

27.5/Gal of Diesel will get me 660 miles per fill up @ 24mpg

27.5/Gal of Diesel will get me 825 miles per fill up @ 30mpg

I drive about 300 miles a week; you don't have to know more than basic math to see a pattern adding up really fast over 12 months or 13 years.....

Now ask yourself why I would buy another gas powered truck?

What happens if 93oct goes to $5 or $8 per gallon and diesel is $5.05 or $8.05 per gallon? I would really hate to be the person who owns that gas truck, I am still able to put some money away for a vacation?

Unless you are just made of money....

:lol:

I think I have more than covered the extra cost of the oil changes and all of the maintenance on the 4.5L Diesel.

Oh, and for the people running 87oct in their 5.3L gas engine.... figure 10-15% less MPG's than 93oct.

I am not endorsing this site, but if you really think diesel is that much more than what you are paying for gas, take a reality check:

Yes, the extra Tq and Power is part of the reason I am looking to go to a Dmax.... and how easy you can tune them for some real power..... it is cheaper to get 600hp+ on a Dmax than an LS engine, not that many people want to have a 0-60 faster than a Z06 but it is nice and the photo of the guy in the vet looking at you as you pass him is even better in your 8000lb truck made of raw steel

I wonder what would happen (Other than you would not want to haul a load in the bed or use the truck as a truck) if you had a Titanium alloy frame to reduce the weight of the truck and then went with all carbon fiber panels...

If you could drop the weight of the 6.6L Dmax by 2000-3000lbs and keep the same power train (Engine, Tranny, rear diff), you really would be smoking allot of the rycers even harder and get even better fuel econ.